Dressing boldly- a Feminist statement?

Loud Looks, Bold Moves: Dressing Boldly as a Feminist Statement About Taking Up Space

By Lelalo

The basic tee, quiet luxury, soap nails, fashion has so many words for wearing a neutral colour palette and quiet cut. It comes around in cycles to make us buy more and never get too familiar with our own style, and not express ourselves authentically, only in a profitable way. Femme-presenting, queer, cultural and colourful people are kept in a more palatable little box that makes their representation and their profitability more predictable.

In a world that has long asked us to shrink ourselves—physically, emotionally, professionally—dressing boldly becomes more than just a fashion choice. It becomes a statement. A declaration of presence. A visual affirmation that we, as women and marginalised genders, deserve to take up space—loudly, unapologetically, and proudly.

Fashion has always been political. From suffragettes wearing white to protest for the right to vote, to Black Panthers in leather jackets making a stand for liberation, what we wear has often communicated far more than just style. In the context of feminism, bold dressing—the art of showing up in colours, cuts, and combinations that demand attention—is a radical act of self-assertion. It tells the world: I am here. I matter. And I’m not afraid to be seen.

Shrinking Is Socialised

From a young age, women are socialised to shrink—to cross our legs, keep our voices soft, make ourselves smaller, both physically and metaphorically. We’re praised for being “nice,” “modest,” “pretty but not trying too hard.” We’re taught that to be visible is to invite danger or judgment. That to take up too much space is to be arrogant or inappropriate.

This conditioning doesn’t stop at how we speak or move; it extends deeply into how we dress. “Tone it down.” “Cover up.” “Don’t be too loud.” These aren’t just wardrobe tips—they’re coded ways of reinforcing a system that prefers women to be silent and invisible.

Visibility as Resistance

So when someone dresses boldly—wearing bright colours, statement pieces, patterns that clash unapologetically, or silhouettes that demand attention—they’re defying that script.

They are resisting the idea that they need to blend into the background to be safe, respected, or accepted.

Dressing loudly is saying: “I refuse to make myself smaller to make others comfortable.” That refusal is feminist at its core.

This isn’t about any one style or aesthetic. Bold dressing is personal. For some, it’s a neon blazer. For others, it’s a pair of glittering heels, an avant-garde hairstyle, or a metallic jumpsuit that lights up a room. What matters is the intention—to be seen, to be heard through fashion, and to celebrate the body you live in by adorning it, not concealing it.

A Mirror to the Self

But this isn’t just about how others see you—it’s about how you see yourself.

When you put on something bold, something that makes you feel powerful or radiant, you’re sending a message to yourself: “I deserve to take up space.” It’s a form of self-affirmation. It says you are not hiding. You are not ashamed. You are not waiting for permission to be visible.

In this way, bold fashion becomes a tool for self-liberation. It helps untangle years of internalised messaging that told us to play small. And each time you catch a glimpse of yourself in a mirror or a reflection in a window, you’re reminded: “I’m still here. I’m still powerful. I choose to show up for myself.”

Every time we follow a trend, we learn to mould our style around what someone else thinks is fashionable, and we learn a little more not to use our discernment. There's beauty and self-exploration in fashion, and one benefit to the endless cycling trends is that we can use this to weed out which styles WE like and express our uniqueness the best. There's power in selectively curating your own style, apart from trends, by identifying elements that bring you joy and comfort and leaving the rest.

The Politics of Dressing “Too Much”

The backlash to bold fashion often comes disguised as concern: “You’re trying too hard.” “That’s not appropriate.” “Why would you wear that here?” These comments aren’t just about clothes—they’re about control. They're policing presence. They aim to shame those who dare to express themselves too loudly, to shine too brightly.

It’s no coincidence that marginalized people—especially women of color, fat women, queer and trans folks—receive the harshest criticism when they dress boldly. Their presence in public spaces already challenges the norm, and bold fashion doubles down on that challenge. It says not only “I exist,” but also “I refuse to be quiet about it.”

In this way, dressing loudly becomes intersectional resistance. It’s a pushback against every system that tries to categorise, silence, or erase. It is beautiful.

Taking Up Space in the Face of Erasure

Feminism is about equity. It's about dismantling the structures that suppress and marginalise. But it’s also about reimagining who gets to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

When you dress boldly, you reclaim the narrative. You rewrite the story of what is acceptable and beautiful, and worthy of attention. You say: “I will not be erased. I will not be overlooked. My presence is not only valid—it’s powerful.”

In a patriarchal world, that kind of visibility is revolutionary.

It’s easy to underestimate the power of what we wear. But think about the days you’ve felt your most powerful—what were you wearing? Odds are, it was something that felt like you, something that made you feel aligned with your power. That wasn’t an accident. Clothing can armour us, uplift us, and connect us to who we are at our core.

And when you use that power not just for yourself, but to inspire others, when a young girl sees someone like you dressing without fear, it sends ripples outward. It normalises boldness. It gives others permission to show up fully, too.

The Feminist Future Is Bright (Literally)

Imagine a future where women and marginalised people walk into every room as if they own it—not because they’re trying to dominate, but because they’ve unlearned the idea that they don’t belong. Where clothing isn’t used to shame or confine but to express and uplift. Where everyone feels empowered to take up space—not just with their voice, but with their full selves.

That future starts with every outfit that says: “Look at me, I’m not hiding anymore.”

Dressing boldly may not solve systemic oppression on its own—but it’s part of the resistance. It’s a daily, wearable reminder that we are worthy of space, of attention, of life in full colour.

So wear the rhinestones. Rock the lime-green suit. Don the oversized earrings, the feathered coat, the combat boots with the sparkly dress. Whatever makes you feel seen. Do it not just for fashion, but for liberation.

Because every time you refuse to shrink, you help carve out a bigger, louder, freer space for yourself and for others.

And that is deeply feminist.

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